When you’re dashing from board meetings to client lunches, crack-of-dawn yoga classes to after-work drinks, it’s best to keep it streamlined when it comes to excess baggage. In keeping with this season’s trend for gender fluidity, and that all-important nod to Y2K, we’ve selected some of the most stylish backpacks on the market. From The Row and Prada to Saint Laurent and Mulberry, it seems everyone is getting in on the action. Here’s our pick of the best women’s backpacks for autumn.
A nod to Max Mara’s timeless Teddy Bear coat, this soft, fluffy backpack gives us all the warm and fuzzies. Made in Italy from deluxe shearling and complete with a smart leather trim and exaggerated zipper pull, it also converts easily into a shoulder bag. As fun as it is practical, it’s the perfect winter warmer.
£740
Saint Laurent’s Joe backpack ticks every box. Crafted from chevron-quilted leather with an antique-gold YSL monogram (first designed by Adolphe Mouron Cassandre in 1961), it works with everything from a black tuxedo jacket to jeans and a chunky knit. Embellished with a chain-link drawstring, this is the chicest way to store your belongings.
£2,045
An enduring nod to the Nineties wardrobe must-have, this new model of Prada’s era-defining signature backpack is made from the brand’s own Re-Nylon fabric with Saffiano leather trim. Finished with silver-tone metal hardware and, of course, the unmissable logo plaque, you won’t be eBay-ing this reimagined relic again.
£1,680
Designed in tribute to the earliest bags from the heritage British brand, and inspired by classic English country pursuits, this unisex Mulberry backpack is as classic as it is iconic. Matched with an oversized trench, tailored blazer or sporty puffer, the practical pockets, belt and buckle strap detailing will keep your bits and pieces secure in style.
£895
This smart backpack is printed all-over with the signature Burberry check and crafted from 30 per cent bio-based materials derived from renewable natural sources. Silky smooth to the touch, the gold-tone hardware adds a hint of bling while the bag’s slouchy silhouette can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
£1,450
In a break from London’s classic autumnal hues, this winter-white drawstring backpack isn’t for every day (unless you cover it in cling film) but is sure to make a (mess-free) splash on special outings. To be worn on your back, cross-body or slung over one shoulder, the unique chiffon textured leather and bucket shape create an elegant silhouette.
£2,800
This low-key, everyday piece from Acne Studios says everything about the brand’s contemporary Scandinavian spirit. Offering a durable, utilitarian design, the backpack is crafted from hard-wearing, recycled ripstop fabric and is shaped with a lightweight square frame for increased wearability. Streetwear at its best.
£300
Understated and elegant, this versatile bag from Ami Paris adds a chic touch to any outfit. Rendered in a stony grey, the bag features a front pouch pocket for essentials detailed with dual buckle fastenings. With the identifiable Ami de Cœur logo embroidered in a tasteful black, this is a bag you’ll wear with everything.
£370
Read more: High-heeled boots for autumn